§ 3. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any proposal has been made on behalf of His Majesty's Govern- 200 ment, or received by His Majesty's Government, for a conference of jurists or other international body to examine into the recent American proposals for the outlawry of war; and, if so, what are the circumstances of this proposal?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI understand that the American proposal is one of the subjects proposed for to-morrow's Debate, and I hope that the hon. and gallant Member will agree that it will be more convenient to deal with this matter then than by question and answer to-day.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYI am sorry to disagree with the right hon. Gentleman, but is he aware that I put this question down in order to get information on this one small but important point before the Debate came on; and could we not have facts now if it is convenient?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI thought it not improbable that that was the hon. and gallant Gentleman's object; I am sorry he does not agree with me, but I must maintain my view that it will be more convenient to deal with the matter later on.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWith very great respect, is not the right hon. Gentleman going rather beyond his rights in this matter? Surely he can give us an answer to this one small but very important point. It is on a question of fact which has appeared in the newspapers, and I want an official statement?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo doubt the hon. and gallant Gentleman wants an official statement, and I propose to make one to-morrow. As the Opposition has chosen this subject for Debate to-morrow, I think it would be a convenient time and that I am entitled to use it.